Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) versus speech therapist: What's the difference?
Updated: Mar 26
A Speech-Language Pathologist, or SLP for short, is the same thing as a speech therapist.
Speech Language Pathologists can also be referred to as
SLP's
Speech therapists
Swallow therapists
Speech Pathologists
In this post you will learn:
So, what does CF-SLP mean?
CF stands for clinical fellowship. An SLP who graduates from a Master's speech-language pathology program must complete their first year under supervised clinical guidance. If someone is using the CF-SLP title that means they are still in their clinical fellowship. Upon completion of their fellowship, they use the title SLP.
And how about CCC-SLP?
CCC stands for Certificate of Clinical Competence. So someone who refers to themselves as CCC-SLP has voluntarily met the academic and professional standards that often go beyond the minimum requirements for state licensure. This standard is a nationally recognized professional credential from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). CCC-SLP's have the knowledge, skills, and expertise to provide high quality clinical services and actively participate in continuing education to ensure their certification does not lapse. I received the CCC-SLP by completing 1,260 hours of clinical experience during my CF year and passing a specific speech exam.
Find a CCC-SLP in your area here.
Who would benefit from an SLP?
Speech-Language Pathologists are experts in communication and swallowing. They treat the following conditions:
Aphasia - a disorder that results from damage to specific parts of the brain
Apraxia - a disorder where the individual has a difficult time producing sounds even though muscles are normal. The brain knows what it wants to say, but the individuals have a difficult time producing the sounds necessary
Articulation Disorders - a disorder where the individual has a difficult time producing one or more sounds
Cognitive-communication disorders - a disorder that results from impaired functioning of one or more of the cognitive processes
Dysarthria - a disorder where the individual has a difficult time producing sounds secondary to muscular weakness. Speech is often slurred and difficult to understand
Dysphagia - a disorder that relates to the individual's ability to suck, chew, and swallow foods/liquids
Expressive-Language Disorders - a disorder that impacts the ability to use language. Individuals with this disorder understand what is being said (unless they have an expressive and receptive-language disorder)
Fluency Disorders - a disorder that impacts the flow, rhythm, and speed of speech. Stuttering and cluttering are both fluency disorders
Pragmatics or social communication - a disorder that impacts an individual's ability to take turns, follow social rules, and respond appropriately during conversation
Receptive-Language Disorders - a disorder that impacts the ability to understand language
Voice Disorders - a disorder that impacts the voice (an individual may sound hoarse, lose their voice, talk too loudly, or have vocal nodules)
About the author
Stephanie Jeret is a Speech-Language Pathologist and the owner of Speak with Stephanie. She obtained her Bachelor's and Master's degree from the City University of New York. She has practiced speech therapy in a number of settings including outpatient rehabilitation, telepractice, skilled nursing facilities, and schools. She specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of a variety of communication disorders including articulation disorders, receptive/expressive language disorders and fluency disorders.